Smart Casual Workwear for Lawyers: What to Wear to Work in 2025

What should lawyers wear to work in 2025? Is a suit still the gold standard, or does it scream “trying too hard” in an era of oversized blazers, luxe fabrics, and hybrid everything? And how do you actually master smart casual—without looking like you’ve just wandered in from a tech startup or, worse, a weekend brunch?

Let’s get real: the rules have changed, but the stakes haven’t. Today’s legal dress code is a balancing act between comfort and credibility, personality and professionalism. Oversized blazers, sleek waistcoats, and bold pops of color are all in the mix for 2025, but context is everything.  Before you toss your suit to the charity shop, get crystal clear on your firm’s culture. Some offices still expect classic tailoring, while others embrace a more relaxed, individual style—especially as diversity and inclusion reshape what “professional” looks like in law.

And don’t forget your clients. Are you advising blue-chip corporates, creative disruptors, or high-net-worth individuals? Each group brings its own expectations, and your wardrobe should reflect the level of polish and approachability they value most.

The bottom line: looking as sharp as your mind in 2025 means dressing with intention. Tune into your firm’s vibe, know your audience, and use smart casual as your toolkit to stand out for all the right reasons.

The legal profession has always valued a polished appearance, but the definition of “professional” has shifted dramatically in recent years. After the pandemic, when remote work and comfort-first dressing took over. Now, as offices refill and in-person meetings return, there’s a renewed appetite for looking sharp, but with a modern, relaxed edge. Law is a traditional profession and many firms still require suits but largely ‘smart casual’ is more acceptable these days. 

It’s actually tricker to master than simply throwing on a suit so how can you nail this and why is it important?

Definition of ‘Smart Casual’?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, smart casual is “a style of dressing in which people wear clothes that are neat but not formal” Think tailored trousers instead of jeans, crisp blouses rather than T-shirts, and structured blazers over hoodies. It’s a dress code that balances professionalism with comfort, allowing for personal style without sacrificing credibility.

Why Your Workwear Matters—Especially in Law

If you want to get ahead in your legal career, investing in your workwear is a strategic move. Here’s why:

• First Impressions Are Powerful: Research shows that 93% of human interaction is non-verbal, and your clothes speak for you before you say a word. When you walk into a room, your attire signals your competence, attention to detail, and authority—qualities that clients and senior partners expect from their legal counsel.
• The Halo Effect: Psychologists call it the halo effect—when one positive attribute (like dressing well) creates a “halo” of positivity that extends to other qualities. In practice, if you look sharp, people are more likely to assume you’re intelligent, capable, and trustworthy. This is especially important when dealing with high-net-worth clients who expect their advisors to reflect their own standards of quality and professionalism.
• Fashion and Self-Confidence: Multiple studies confirm that what you wear affects how you feel and perform. Dressing well can boost your confidence, enhance your mood, and help you project the best version of yourself. In a competitive field like law, that extra edge can make all the difference.

Building a Smart Casual Wardrobe: The Art of Strong Separates

A great smart casual wardrobe is built on versatile, high-quality separates—think tailored trousers, blazers, blouses, and smart shoes—that can be mixed and matched for different occasions. This can be challenging and time-consuming, especially for busy legal professionals with demanding schedules. But neglecting your wardrobe—making do with washed-out or worn-out clothes—sends the wrong message about your attention to detail. Wearing dated clothes can make you look dated and your ideas seem dated – humans communicate in many ways and perception is a huge part of that.

Key Pieces to Consider

For women:

• Wide leg tailored trousers – go for formal shades like black or navy but it’s fine to have personality and flair and go for a colour instead. Stand out don’t blend in.
• A few smart blouses in good quality fabric like cotton or silk
• A selection of tailored jackets – I really love tweed cropped jackets to add a bit of contrast to the tailored trousers and stop it looking like a whole suit
• Smart flats or if you can do heels, they always look powerful and stylish
• A tailored dress – Me&Em do some excellent options. For the more formal corporate law environment, try The Fold

For men:

• Unstructured blazer
• Slim-fit chinos
• Smart wool slim fit trousers
• Crisp white or blue shirt
• Suede brogues are good in Summer or loafers. Smart leather shoes at other times
• Sometimes it’s acceptable to wear smart leather trainers but check the company culture first.

Modern suit options (for both men and women) from brands like Slowear offer a contemporary take on classic tailoring.

Tips for Mastering Smart Casual in Law

• Invest in quality over quantity—choose the best you can afford.
• Keep your wardrobe up-to-date and retire anything that looks tired.
• Opt for tailored fits and neutral colors for maximum versatility.
• Don’t underestimate the power of accessories: a great watch, belt, or bag can elevate your look.
• If you dislike shopping or lack the time, consider hiring a personal stylist. Many senior lawyers and executives now do this to save time and ensure they always look the part.

Final Thoughts: Give Yourself the Edge

In the legal world, your appearance is part of your professional toolkit. Looking as smart as your mind is isn’t vanity—it’s strategy. Your clothes can open doors, get you noticed by the right people, and help you project the authority and expertise your clients expect. In a competitive field, don’t leave your wardrobe at the bottom of your to-do list. Dress for the career you want, not just the job you have.

It’s all part of investing in yourself and your career. 

Lisa Gillbe recently did a LinkedIn live with Rob Hanna on this topic – listen to it here.

Lisa Gillbe is a personal stylist for professionals and has been helping senior professionals with their wardrobe, including many lawyers, for the past 15 years. She also runs workshops on style and personal brand and is the host of the chart-topping podcast The Style Stories Podcast.

Listen to the podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-style-stories-podcast/id1406866317

Hire Lisa to help wth your wardrobe (or one of her junior stylists): all services here – https://www.lisagillbestyle.com/

My suggested clothes are below – here are the links. Please note some of these are affiliate links for which I will earn a small commission payment.

Me&Em chocolate trousers

Blue summer pussy bow blouse

Peach Cropped jacket

Men’s

Unstructured blazer

Slim fit chinos

Men’s slim fit white shirt

Men’s suede brogues

Slowear does more modern, stylish suits:

https://www.slowear.com/en-gb/collections/man-suits